Why Oregon TE Terrance Ferguson could be the impact player Coach McVay covets

He reminds Coach McVay of his first tight end he coached, Chris Cooley

When the Los Angeles Rams traded out of Round 1 in the 2025 NFL Draft, the team had to weigh the risk of losing vetted and scouted players from this draft class in exchange for the chance to select an even more vital and talented rookie in next year's draft. Underlying every draft trade is that basic principle. Can the team emerge better with a chance to upgrade the roster now, or later?

While the Rams did choose to grab a Round 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and lose a Round 1 pick this year, the team was willing to take a calculated risk of losing one of their coveted tight ends. And as the team selected Oregon tight end Terrance Ferguson, it was quite clear that he was in the team's sights all along.

And now Rams fans are finding out why.

In the post Day 2 draft press conference, Rams HC Sean McVay painted a promising picture of his new rookie tight end, and you can see and hear for yourself at the 0:45 mark:

"There are a lot of things to like, you know. I think, number one, when you hear the backstory of a guy that has overcome some adversity. Obviously, you know that he is a special human being.
I have a lot of respect for (Oregon Coach) Dan Lanning and what he has done with that program.
And then you just watch the body of work, and he reminds me a lot of (former Washington Commanders tight end) Chris Cooley. He has some similar body mannerisms to (Kansas City Chiefs tight end) Travis Kelce, and Chris Cooley is one of the first players I ever coached in this league. He is a great football player. "

Rams HC Sean McVay

To be a rookie who is compared to Chris Cooley and Travis Kelce by the head coach is not something that Terrance Ferguson expected. But it shows just how highly regarded he is by the Rams coaching staff.

So what does Ferguson bring to the offense?

More Cooper Kupp than Johnny Mundt

The Rams tried to compensate for the absence of Tyler Higbee by signing free agent tight end Colby Parkinson last season. But as you can see from the table on slide 1, the Rams' effectiveness from the tight end position plummeted in 2024. So, what happened?

Unlike previous seasons when the team boasted two pass-catching tight ends, the Rams overloaded the tight end room with three blocking tight ends who all struggled to create separation and catch passes. Blocking tight ends do have their place, but they need to have pass-catching teammates to enhance their effectiveness.

It was not until veteran Tyler Higbee returned that the Rams' offense began to score points from tight ends. And by that time, nearly the entire 2024 NFL season had lapsed.

If you review his college video footage, Terrance Ferguson appears to be a big-bodied wide receiver like Cooper Kupp, rather than an offensive lineman who can catch passes like former tight end Johnny Mundt. He runs crisp and precise routes. He has velcro hands that instinctively catch passes out and away from his body. Best of all, he is tough to bring down once he pulls the pass in and turns upfield.

The Rams have been searching for a Terrence Ferguson-type tight end for some time. The Rams had hoped to find a pass-catching tight end variety in former TE Brycen Hopkins. Now the team has a chance to see if Ferguson can wear the mantle of receiver for this offense.